Ogletree, Rainey lead Players Amateur through one round

Dan Hunt/Beaufort Today Georgia Tech sophomore Andy Ogletree, who is tied for the lead, takes his final putt of the day Thursday.

Most of the field is still in the mix after day one of the Players Amateur at Berkeley Hall Club.

Scores ranged from 4-under-par at the top to plus-18 in Thursday’s first round, with 48 of the 78 golfers at 2-over or better.

There are two players leading the field at 4-under 67: College of Charleston graduate William Rainey and Georgia Tech sophomore Andy Ogletree.

Rainey teed off in one of the later groups and caught fire early with birdies on the first three holes. The Charlotte native is hoping his caddy, Marry Chandler Bryan, can bring him some good luck. Her brother Wesley won this year’s RBC Heritage.

Rainey will tee off at 7:55 Friday morning.

Ogletree also started his round with three birdies before closing with an even back nine. He said it was his first time on Berkeley Hall’s North Course.

“It’s hard off the tee. It’s kind of deceptive off the tee, but there’s a lot more space than you think. So I think just getting in play off the tee is the biggest thing out here,” Ogletree said.

“The greens were pretty fast and there were some tough putting locations out there, so putting was big today.”

Dealing with the heat will be crucial for the leaders over the rest of the tournament. That was the talk among players in the clubhouse after the round, as it could get hotter into the weekend.

“I’m from Mississippi, so I’m sort of used to this, but it’s still really hot out here,” said Ogletree, who tees off at 11:13 a.m. Friday.

“I love the Players Amateur,” Nimmer said. “It’s the home course for me and I just think the biggest thing is being able to sleep in your own bed after. I’m in the mix. I just need to go out there and play well again tomorrow.”